14 06

Artificial intelligence has long been heralded as the technology of the future – although it is still the future if an international survey of 700 business leaders by Juniper Networks in April is anything to go by.

While many businesses are clearly keen to start using the technology, experts warn that they need to introduce it judiciously.

Firms may well have more pitfalls to avoid than benefits to reap, so it’s vital to learn from previous AI integrations elsewhere.

“AI improves the way the company manages its networks and services,” O’Brien says. “The technology automates routine tasks and augments people’s capabilities with smart insights and support.”

Despite his company’s successful applications of the technology, O’Brien warns prospective AI adopters to integrate it into their existing systems with great care.

But, while 87% of respondents to the Juniper Networks survey agreed that their firms needed to put proper governance policies in place to minimize any harm resulting from the use of AI, this task ranked as one of their lowest priorities in the adoption process.

“We started really small to survey the market and pick a use case,” Wolfenden recalls. Cary Cooper, professor of organizational psychology and health at Manchester Business School, advises firms introducing AI to “engage the workers with the process, rather than impose it.

Getting them to produce the solution so that it works for both them and the business is the most effective strategy.” 

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